Poke-through electrical outlet assembly with leveling bezel

ABSTRACT

An electrical outlet assembly is mountable in a floor or work surface, and includes an upper bezel and a lower insert that are joined in a non-rigid manner that permits some adjustment to the spacing and/or tilt of the upper bezel relative to the lower insert. The upper bezel and lower insert are joined together by a plurality of fasteners extending between a plurality of fastener receivers coupled to the upper bezel, and to the lower insert. At least one end of each coupling fastener is loosely captured in such a way that when the coupling fasteners are fully secured, they are permitted to move axially relative to the fastener receiver or the lower insert. This allows the lower insert to be repositionable in its axial direction relative to the upper bezel, and also permits the lower insert to be tilted out of alignment with the upper bezel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application in a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/536,471, filed Aug. 9, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,770,875,which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application, Ser. No.62/717,604, filed Aug. 10, 2018, U.S. provisional application, Ser. No.62/718,377, filed Aug. 13, 2018, and U.S. provisional application, Ser.No. 62/720,482, filed Aug. 21, 2018, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power and/or data systems that aremountable in floors or work surfaces such as desks, tables, and thelike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional power and data systems provide a variety ofinterconnections and flexibility. Power and data systems may be insertedinto openings formed in floors (including elevated floor systems) andwalls, and integrated into furniture, such as tables, desks, and otheroffice furniture. So-called “poke-through” electrical or data units aretypically cylindrical or box-like in overall shape, with circular,rectangular, or square surfaces that are exposed in an area where accessto electrical power and/or electronic data is desirable. The exposedportion of the electrical or data unit often includes a bezel that ispositioned atop or flush with the exposed floor surface, wall surface,or furniture surface to which the unit is mounted. The bezel generallydefines an opening through which the unit's electrical power and/orelectronic data outlets are made accessible to users in a work area orthe like. If a bezel-receiving opening in the exposed surface is not cutor otherwise formed orthogonal (perpendicular) to the plane of theexposed surface, the bezel may not mount straight and flush with theexposed surface, creating an undesirable appearance and possibly a triphazard or an area where dirt and debris collects. This may be correctedby re-drilling the opening, but re-drilling may result in an oversizedbore and the inability to secure the poke-through unit at the bore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a poke-through electrical power and/orelectronic data unit having an upper bezel that is repositionablerelative to a lower housing or insert portion during installation. Theupper bezel may be tilted or shifted laterally relative to the lowerhousing during installation by multiple degrees of freedom permitted bya set of fasteners that non-rigidly couple the lower insert to the upperbezel. By providing an adjustable upper bezel, the configuration orshape of the overall unit may be adjusted to accommodate or account forvariations in the position of an opening formed in a bezel-mountingsurface relative to another opening or bore that is formed in anothersurface located behind or below the bezel-mounting surface. Therefore,the bezel can be set flush in its mounting location, even if theorientation of the lower housing or of the opening in which the bezel ismounted is not otherwise conducive to properly orienting the bezel.

According to one form of the present invention, an electrical outletassembly is provided for mounting in a floor or work surface, andincludes an upper bezel and a lower insert that are joined by aplurality of coupling fasteners. The upper bezel provides access to anelectrical outlet at the floor or work surface, and there are aplurality of fastener receivers positioned below the upper bezel andcoupled to it, either directly or indirectly. The coupling fastenershave respective lower portions received in the lower insert andrespective upper portions received at the fastener receivers. At leastone end of each coupling fastener is somewhat loosely retained orcaptured in such a way that when the coupling fasteners are fullysecured for coupling the lower insert to the fastener receivers, each ofthe coupling fasteners is permitted to move axially relative to thefastener receiver or the lower insert. As a result, the lower insert isrepositionable in its axial direction relative to the upper bezel andthe lower insert is tiltable by a limited amount, such as about threedegrees, out of alignment with a longitudinal axis of the upper bezel.

In one aspect, the lower insert defines a plurality of recesses thatreceive the lower portions of the coupling fasteners, and the lowerportions of the coupling fasteners are axially movable within therecesses. Optionally, the lower portions of the coupling fasteners haverespective enlarged heads that are captured in the recesses.

In another aspect, the lower insert includes a top plate coupled to anupper surface of a block of intumescent material. The recesses areformed along the upper surface of the intumescent block, and the topplate defines a series of openings aligned with respective recesses. Thecoupling fastener heads are captured in the recesses by the top plate.

In yet another aspect, the electrical outlet assembly further includes aplurality of sloped channel members extending downwardly below the upperbezel, a securing element slidably mounted at each sloped channelmember, and a mounting fastener threaded to each securing element. Themounting fasteners extending upwardly from the respective securingelements and through the sloped channel member. The sloped channelmembers are angled away from vertical (or from the longitudinal axis ofthe upper bezel and/or the lower insert) so that the securing elementsare moved vertically and radially outwardly upon rotation of themounting fasteners in one direction, and the securing elements are movedvertically (in the opposite direction) and radially inwardly uponrotation of the mounting fasteners in an opposite direction. Optionally,the securing elements each have a plurality of radially outwardlyextending teeth for selectively engaging with an inner surface of a borein which the assembly is mounted.

In still another aspect, the sloped channel members are sloped inwardlyin the radial direction from top to bottom, so that upward movement ofthe securing elements along the sloped channel members causes thesecuring elements to move radially outwardly.

In a further aspect, the electrical outlet assembly further includes anoutlet housing that supports a plurality of electrical outlets foraccess at the upper bezel. Optionally, the outlet housing includes thefastener receivers and the sloped channel members.

In a still further aspect, a leaf spring is disposed in a channel formedin an outer periphery of the lower insert. An adjustment screw iscoupled to opposite ends of the leaf spring and is configured so thatrotation of the adjustment screw draws the spring's opposite endstogether to bias a midsection of the leaf spring radially outwardly fromthe outer periphery of the lower insert.

According to another form of the present invention, an electrical outletassembly is provided for mounting in a floor or work surface, andincludes an upper bezel for providing access to an electrical outlet atthe floor or work surface, a lower insert coupled below the upper bezel,and a plurality of sloped channel members coupled to the upper bezel andextending downwardly below the upper bezel. A securing element isslidably mounted or guided in each of the sloped channel members, with amounting fastener threadedly coupled to each of the securing elementsand extending upwardly through the sloped channel member. The slopedchannel members are shaped so that when the securing elements are movedvertically in one direction along the channel members, the securingelements also move radially outwardly from the longitudinal bezel axis,such as due to rotation of the mounting fasteners in one direction.

Thus, the poke-through electrical outlet assembly can accommodatevariations in mounting bores formed or established in substrates such asconcrete or wooden subfloors, allowing an installer to set the upperbezel flush in its mounting location, even if the mounting bore is notperfectly orthogonal to the generally planar surface at which the upperbezel is supported.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a poke-through electrical power unitwith leveling bezel, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the poke-through electrical powerunit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the poke-through electrical power unit;

FIG. 4 is another side elevation of the poke-through electrical powerunit, shown rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the poke-through electrical power unit;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the poke-through electrical power unit;

FIG. 7 is an exploded top perspective view of the poke-throughelectrical power unit;

FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the poke-throughelectrical power unit;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another poke-through electricalpower unit with leveling bezel, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the poke-through electricalpower unit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the poke-through electrical power unit ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is another side elevation of the poke-through electrical powerunit of FIG. 9, shown rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the poke-through electrical power unit ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the poke-through electrical power unitof FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is an exploded top perspective view of the poke-throughelectrical power unit of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 16 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the poke-throughelectrical power unit of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a poke-through electrical power and/or electronic data unit 10is configured for mounting in a floor or work surface (FIGS. 1-6). Thepoke-through unit 10 is designed to permit positional adjustments inorientation and height of an upper bezel 12 relative to a lower insert14, which includes a fire-resistant block 15 of intumescent material.The ability to make positional adjustments is particularly useful whenmounting the upper bezel 12 at an upper opening or bore formed in anexposed surface (such as a raised floor surface, subfloor, or atabletop), where the upper opening is somewhat misaligned with acorresponding lower opening or bore that is formed in a lower surface(such as true floor or a subfloor below the raised floor, or a tablesupport pedestal), or where the bore is not drilled or otherwise formedperfectly orthogonally relative to the uppermost or outermost surfacewhere the bezel 12 will rest. Thus, the ability to make positionaladjustments is also useful when mounting the upper bezel 12 at an upperopening or bore that is not perfectly perpendicular to the surface wherethe upper bezel 12 rests upon installation. A plurality of spaced-apartfasteners 16 non-rigidly couple the lower insert 14 to the upper bezel12 in a manner that allows for some adjustment to the spacing betweenthe insert 14 and bezel 12, as well as permitting angular or tiltadjustment of the insert 14 relative to the upper bezel 12 so that theirrespective longitudinal axes may be set at non-coaxial positions. Thispermits the poke-through unit 10 to be installed with the upper bezel 12seated at its mounting surface without gaps or other visiblemisalignment, even if the lower insert 14 cannot be perfectly alignedwith the upper bezel 12 in the chosen mounting location, such as due toa non-orthogonal drilled bore in a concrete floor or other substrate.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, upper bezel 12 is generallydisc-shaped and defines one or more through-openings for providingaccess to electrical power and/or electronic data outlets orreceptacles. The upper bezel 12 is substantially planar, althoughdifferent thickness regions, beveled edges, surface textures, and minorundulations are possible. The upper bezel 12 has a longitudinal bezelaxis A_(b) that is orthogonal (perpendicular) to a plane in which thedisc-shaped upper bezel substantially lies (FIGS. 3 and 4). When theupper bezel 12 has a circular shape as shown, bezel axis A_(b) passesthrough the center of the bezel as viewed from above or below. However,other shapes of bezels are equally possible, such as square orrectangular bezels, and in each case the longitudinal bezel axis can besaid to pass orthogonally through a center of the bezel as viewed fromabove or below.

Lower insert 14 is generally cylindrical in shape as shown in FIG. 1,and has an outer diameter that is somewhat less than the outer diameterof the upper bezel 12, although this relative sizing is not necessarilyrequired. With upper bezel 12 having a greater diameter than that of thelower insert 14, the lower insert 14 can easily pass through an openingformed in an exposed surface and then into another opening or bore, ofthe same or smaller size, formed below or behind the exposed surface,while the bezel 12 may be sized to rest atop the exposed surface withoutpassing through the opening formed therein. The lower insert 14 has alongitudinal insert axis A_(i) that passes through the center of itsgenerally cylindrical shape, and that would typically be coaxial withthe longitudinal bezel axis A_(b) when the lower insert 14 is perfectlyaligned with the upper bezel 12, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Likethe upper bezel, the lower insert can take many different shapes, and isnot necessarily limited to the cylindrical shape of the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1.

Each coupling fastener 16 is located at a respective location that isspaced radially outwardly from both the longitudinal bezel axis A_(b)and the longitudinal insert axis A_(i), and that is spacedcircumferentially apart from the other fasteners. It is envisioned thatall of the fastener locations would typically be spaced the same orsimilar radial distance (radius) from the axes A_(b) and A_(i), butsomewhat different spacings (radial and circumferential) are possiblefor each fastener location, such as to accommodate (provide clearancefor) certain arrangements of electrical power or electronic dataoutlets, or to accommodate other structures in the vicinity. In theillustrated embodiment, and as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fourcoupling fasteners 16 are arranged at equal radial spacings, but unequalcircumferential spacings, to provide clearance for other structures.

Each coupling fastener 16 includes a threaded shaft that extendsupwardly through a top plate 20 of the lower insert 14, and threadedlyengages a corresponding female threaded support 18 that is formed in anouter outlet housing 22 that is secured to an underside of the upperbezel 12 (FIGS. 2-4). The coupling fasteners 16 have respective heads 16a positioned at an underside of the top plate 20, with respectiverecesses 24 formed in an upper region of the fire-resistant block 15 toprovide clearance for the fastener heads 16 a, as will be described inmore detail below. A plurality of bores 26 are formed through thefire-resistant block 15, aligned with the recesses 24 and the couplingfasteners 16 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The bores 26 provide access to thefastener heads 16 a from below with a narrow tool, such as a screwdrivershaft. The bores 26 are accessed from below through respective openings28 a that are formed in a bottom plate 28 of the lower insert 14, suchas shown in FIG. 6. The bottom plate 28 cooperates with thefire-resistant block 15 and the top plate 20 to form the lower insert14. Bottom plate 28 is secured to the top plate 20 by a pair of threadedfasteners 30, with the fire-resistant block 15 sandwiched in between(FIGS. 1-4). Fasteners 30 pass through respective pair of openings orbores 32 a, 32 b, 32 c in the bottom plate 28, block 15, and top plate20, with the bores 32 c of the top plate 20 being threaded to permitsecuring and tightening the fasteners 30 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

The recesses 24 at the top of the fire-resistant block 15 are recessed asufficient distance from the top plate 20 so that the lower insert 14can “float” up or down relative to the outer outlet housing 22, and canbe set at an angle relative to the outer outlet housing 22. For example,in the illustrated embodiment when the coupling fasteners 16 are fullysecured for coupling the lower insert 14 to the fastener receivers 18,the fastener heads 16 a can move freely up and down within therespective recesses 24, between the top plate 20 and the bottom of eachrecess 24, such that the longitudinal insert axis A_(i) may bemisaligned with the longitudinal bezel axis A_(b) by up to about 3 to 4degrees. As a result, the lower insert 14 is also repositionable in itsaxial direction (along insert axis A_(i)) relative to the upper bezel 12by a limited distance according to the vertical spaces between thefastener heads 16 a and the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses24. In this way, the bore in which the poke-through unit 10 is mountedmay be non-orthogonal with the upper floor surface by up to 3 to 4degrees, while still permitting the bottom surface of the upper bezel 12to lie flush against the upper floor surface.

It will be appreciated that adjusting the depths of the recesses 24, thedimensions or shapes of the fastener heads 16 a would permit differentranges of angular and vertical adjustment of the lower insert 14relative to the outer outlet housing 22, as desired or needed duringinstallation into a somewhat non-orthogonal bore. It should further beappreciated that the same or similar effect may be achieved by reversingthe orientation of the coupling fasteners 16 and configuring the supportat the outer outlet housing to provide a recess or cavity in which eachfastener head is relatively free to move, while the opposite end of eachfastener is more rigidly secured. Moreover, it is envisioned thatdouble-headed studs may be used in place of the more traditionalsingle-headed fasteners shown, with receiving cavities provided forloosely capturing both ends of the double-headed stud.

A set of four threaded mounting fasteners 34 and corresponding toothedsecuring elements 33 (FIGS. 2-4, 7, and 8) are used to secure thepoke-through unit 10 in a bore. Mounting fasteners 34 have head portions34 a that rest atop the outer outlet housing 22 at respective bores 35(FIG. 7), with threaded shaft portions 34 b extending downwardly intorespective sloped channels 36 arranged along an outer periphery of theouter outlet housing 22. The toothed securing elements 33 have inboardportions that are sized and shaped to slide up and down along therespective channels 36, and that define threaded bores for receiving therespective threaded shafts 34 b of the fasteners. In this way, thetoothed securing elements 33 can be moved up and down the channels 36 byrotating the mounting fasteners 34 with a tool. Because the channels aresloped radially outward from bottom to top, moving a securing element 33from bottom to top of the corresponding channel 36 forces the securingelement 33 radially outwardly and into increasingly firmer engagementwith the surface (typically cylindrical) that defines the bore in whichthe outer outlet housing 22 and lower insert 14 are received duringinstallation. As the teeth of the toothed securing elements 33 engagethe bore surface due to tightening of the mounting fasteners 34, theupward movement of the securing elements 33 will force the outlethousing 22 (and attached upper bezel 12) downward into engagement withthe exposed surface where the upper bezel 12 will be supported (such asa raised floor or tabletop), and secures the whole assembly againstremoval from the bore. If removal of the poke-through unit 10 isdesired, the mounting fasteners 34 are loosened to force the toothedsecuring elements 33 down their respective channels 36 and out ofengagement with the bore surface. The fastener heads 34 a may beaccessed when the upper bezel 12 is removed. The upper bezel 12 isattachable to the outlet housing 22 using separate fasteners (not shown)once the outer outlet housing 22 is secured with the toothed securingelements 33.

The lower insert 14 may be frictionally held in the bore by a pair ofadjustable generally C-shaped leaf springs 38 having inboard top andbottom ends 38 a mounted on respective adjustment screws 40 and receivedin respective channels 42 formed in the outer periphery of thefire-resistant block 15 (FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 8). The leaf springs 38include bowed midsections 38 b that extend radially outwardly inresponse to tightening of the adjustment screws 40, which forces the topand bottom ends 38 a closer together. The outward bowing of themidsections 38 b increases their frictional engagement with the boresurface, which friction can be reduced by loosening the adjustmentscrews 40 to cause the midsections 38 b to move radially inwardly towardthe respective channels 42. Thus, the leaf springs 38 can be adjusted toprovide a snug fit of the lower insert 14 in the bore so that the insert14 will not fall through the bore if inserted by itself, whilepermitting the lower insert 14 to be removed by overcoming thefrictional engagement of the springs' midsections 38 b with the bore,which is made easier by loosening the adjustment screws 40.

The poke-through unit 10 further includes an inner outlet housing 44(FIGS. 7 and 8) in which a plurality of outlets or receptacles 46 aremounted together as a unit for simplified installation. In theillustrated embodiment, the receptacles 46 include four high voltage110V AC simplex receptacles 46 a and four CAT-5 data jacks 46 b (FIGS.1, 5, and 7), but it will be appreciated that substantially any number,type, and arrangement of power and/or data connectors may be usedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Itshould be understood that the general terms “electrical outlet” and“electrical receptacle” are used herein to refer to substantially anytype of electrical power outlet or receptacle connector, as well as anytype of electronic data outlet or receptacle connector, unless otherwisestated. The inner outlet housing 44 includes four outwardly-extendingmounting tabs 48 at its upper end, which are received (from above) byfour corresponding recesses 50 formed at the upper end of the outeroutlet housing 22 (FIG. 7), where they are secured with fasteners (notshown). Once the inner outlet housing 44 is secured to the outer outlethousing 22, they may be handled together as a unit and secured to theupper bezel 12 using additional fasteners (not shown) that extendthrough the upper bezel 12 and are received in respective threaded boresof the outer outlet housing 22. The outer outlet housing 22 furtherincludes a set of upper flanges 51 that are sized to rest atop a surface(such as a floor surface) in which the bore is formed for receiving theoutlet housing 22 and the lower insert 14. Respective high voltage ACpower cords and low voltage or electronic data cords (not shown) for thereceptacles 46 are routed into the inner outlet housing 44 through alower end thereof, and out through the lower insert 14 via respectivethrough-openings 52 a, 52 b.

The poke-through unit 10 may be mounted in a bore, typically formed in afloor such as a wooden or concrete floor, by first inserting the lowerinsert 14 and the outer outlet housing 22 into the bore. If needed, theadjustment screws 40 may be adjusted to achieve a desired frictionalengagement of the leaf springs 38 with the bore's inner surface. As theouter outlet housing 22 is pressed downwardly into the bore, thefastener heads 16 a are repositioned within their respective recesses 24according to any limited non-orthogonal orientation of the bore relativeto the floor surface. This allows the upper flanges 51 of the outeroutlet housing 22 to lie flush against the floor surface, so that theupper bezel 12 can be secured to the outlet housing 22 and also setflush to the floor surface. As a result, once the necessary bore isformed in the floor and the appropriate wiring has been run to the bore,the installation of the poke-through unit 10 requires only the insertionof the outer outlet housing 22 and lower insert 14 into the bore untilthe outlet housing's upper flanges 51 are all resting on the floorsurface, tightening the outlet housing 22 in the bore by turning themounting fasteners 34 until the toothed securing elements 33 tightlyengage the inner surface of the bore, and then securing the upper bezel12 to the outlet housing 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-16, another poke-through unit 110 is disclosedwhich is similar to the above-described poke-through unit 10 withrespect to its lower structures used for mounting in a bore formed in afloor or other surface. As such, similar or corresponding structures ofthe poke-through unit 110 are numbered the same as like structures ofthe earlier-described poke-through unit 10 with the addition of 100,such that those structures may be understood with reference to the abovedescriptions, and a full description of the various components of thepoke-through unit 110 will not be repeated herein. Instead, thefollowing description focuses on the different manner in which the otherpoke-through unit 110 is secured in a bore.

In the case of the poke-through unit 110 of FIGS. 9-16, each fastener116 includes a threaded shaft that extends upwardly from the top plate120 and threadedly engages a female threaded support 118 that extendsdownwardly from the upper bezel 112. Female threaded supports 118 may beunitarily formed with upper bezel 112. The upper bezel 112 is coupled tothe lower insert 114 only by engagement of the threaded couplingfasteners 116 with the female threaded supports 118. However, it will beappreciated that other couplings between the upper bezel 12 and lowerhousing 14 may be provided, as long as those other couplings can permitpositional adjustments of the upper bezel relative to the lower housing.

Female threaded supports 118 include outboard flange portions 160 thatare configured to receive respective metal spring-clips 162 havingrespective outwardly-extending upper legs 162 a. The outwardly-extendingupper legs 162 a are configured to engage an inwardly-facing surface(such as a cylindrical bore surface) located below or behind the exposedsurface where the bezel 112 will be supported. Unlike the toothedsecuring elements 33 of the poke-through unit 10, the spring-clips 162are statically mounted and do not move relative to the flange portions160. Instead, the outwardly-extending upper legs 162 a extend radiallyoutwardly further than the diameter of the bore in which the unit 110 isto be inserted, the legs 162 a flexing radially inwardly duringinsertion and then resisting any pullout forces due to the tips of theupper legs 162 a engaging the bore surface. Once the bottom surface ofthe upper bezel 112 is fully pressed against the floor surfacesurrounding the bore, it is automatically secured in position by thespring-clips 162. Although this securing arrangement of spring-clips 162and flange portions 160 has some advantages, such as lower cost andfewer installation steps, removal of the installed poke-through unit 110may destroy at least the spring-clips 162 and also risks damage to theupper bezel 112. By comparison, the earlier-described poke-through unit10 with toothed securing elements 33 can be secured at the bore andremoved from the bore repeatedly without damage.

In other respects that correspond to the insertion and securing of thepoke-through unit 110 in a bore, the poke-through unit 110 issubstantially similar to the unit 10 described above, including the useof leaf springs 138 with adjustment screws 140, and recesses 124 in thefire-resistant block 115 that permit “floating” movement of the threadedfastener heads 116 a to accommodate a slightly non-orthogonal boreformed in a floor where the unit 110 is to be mounted. As seen in FIGS.10, 14, and 16, the upper bezel 112 has an iris-type closure mechanismthat permits rotation of a portion of the bezel to selectively block orun-block access to outlets 146 (FIGS. 9, 13, and 15), which is morefully described in co-pending and commonly-owned U.S. provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 62/718,377, filed Aug. 13, 2018, and theapplication(s) claiming priority therefrom, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the coupling fasteners 16, 116 withrespective heads 16 a, 116 a movably positioned within respectiverecesses 24, 124 will permit at least limited lateral and angularshifting of the upper bezel 12, 112 relative to the lower insert 14, 14.Such movements are permitted by pivoting of the lower insert 14, 114relative to the threaded shafts 16, 116. This adjustability,particularly when combined with adjustable leaf springs 38, 138 thatfrictionally engage the mounting bore and can accommodate at least minorvariations in bore diameter and orientation, permits the poke-throughunits 10, 110 to be easily installed in floors or other solid surfaces,with the upper bezels 12, 112 mounted flush against the floor surfaceeven when the mounting bores are not perfectly formed.

Changes and modifications in the specifically-described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent lawincluding the doctrine of equivalents.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An electrical outletassembly for mounting in a floor or work surface, said unit comprising:an upper bezel defining a longitudinal bezel axis; a plurality offastener receivers positioned below said upper bezel; a lower insertspaced below said upper bezel and having a longitudinal insert axis,wherein said lower insert is positionable with the longitudinal insertaxis in parallel or coaxial alignment with the longitudinal bezel axis,said lower insert defining a plurality of recesses; and a plurality ofcoupling fasteners having lower portions received in respective ones ofsaid recesses, and upper portions extending above said lower insert andsecured at respective ones of said fastener receivers; wherein saidlower portions of said coupling fasteners are axially movable withinsaid recesses to permit said lower insert to move a limited distancealong the longitudinal insert axis; and wherein said lower insert istiltable relative to said upper bezel with the longitudinal insert axisoriented in non-parallel alignment with the longitudinal bezel axis inresponse to positioning of said fastener receivers at differentpositions along respective ones of said coupling fasteners.
 2. Theelectrical outlet assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower portions ofsaid coupling fasteners comprise respective heads having largerdiameters than said upper portions of said coupling fasteners.
 3. Theelectrical outlet assembly of claim 2, wherein said lower insertcomprises a top plate coupled to an upper surface of a block, whereinsaid recesses are formed along said upper surface of said block, andwherein said top plate defines a plurality of openings aligned withrespective ones of said recesses, with said coupling fastener headscaptured in said recesses by said top plate.
 4. The electrical outletassembly of claim 3, wherein said block comprises an intumescentmaterial.
 5. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of sloped channel members coupled to said upperbezel and extending downwardly therefrom; a securing element slidablydisposed in each of said sloped channel members; and a mounting fastenerthreadedly coupled to each of said securing elements and extendingupwardly through said sloped channel member; wherein said sloped channelmembers are configured so that said securing elements are movedvertically and radially outwardly from said longitudinal bezel axis uponrotation of said mounting fasteners in one direction, and said securingelements are moved vertically and radially inwardly from saidlongitudinal bezel axis upon rotation of said mounting fasteners in anopposite direction.
 6. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 5,further comprising an outlet housing configured to support a pluralityof electrical outlets for access at said upper bezel, wherein saidoutlet housing comprises said fastener receivers and said sloped channelmembers.
 7. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 5, wherein saidsecuring elements each comprise a plurality of radially outwardlyextending teeth configured for selective engagement with an innersurface of a bore.
 8. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 6, whereinsaid sloped channel members are sloped inwardly in the radial directionfrom top to bottom so that upward movement of said securing elementsalong said sloped channel members causes said securing elements to moveradially outwardly.
 9. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 1,further comprising an outlet housing configured to support a pluralityof electrical outlets for access at said upper bezel, wherein saidoutlet housing comprises said fastener receivers.
 10. The electricaloutlet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a leaf spring disposed ina channel formed in an outer periphery of said lower insert, and anadjustment screw coupled to opposite ends of said leaf spring, whereinrotation of said adjustment screw biases a midsection of said leafspring radially outwardly from said outer periphery of said lowerinsert.
 11. An electrical outlet assembly for mounting in a floor orwork surface, said assembly comprising: an upper bezel for providingaccess to an electrical outlet at the floor or work surface; a pluralityof fastener receivers positioned below and coupled to said upper bezel;a lower insert spaced below said upper bezel; and a plurality ofcoupling fasteners having respective lower portions received in saidlower insert and respective upper portions received at said fastenerreceivers; wherein when said coupling fasteners are fully secured forcoupling said lower insert to said fastener receivers, each of saidcoupling fasteners is permitted to move axially relative to saidfastener receiver or said lower insert such that said lower insert isrepositionable in its axial direction relative to said upper bezel andsaid lower insert is tiltable by at least about three degrees out ofalignment with a longitudinal axis of said upper bezel.
 12. Theelectrical outlet assembly of claim 11, wherein said lower insertdefines a plurality of recesses that receive said lower portions of saidcoupling fasteners, wherein said lower portions of said couplingfasteners are axially movable within said recesses.
 13. The electricaloutlet assembly of claim 12, wherein said lower portions of saidcoupling fasteners comprise respective heads having larger diametersthan said upper portions of said coupling fasteners.
 14. The electricaloutlet assembly of claim 12, wherein said lower insert comprises a topplate coupled to an upper surface of a block, wherein said recesses areformed along said upper surface of said block, and wherein said topplate defines a plurality of openings aligned with respective ones ofsaid recesses, with said coupling fastener heads captured in saidrecesses by said top plate.
 15. The electrical outlet assembly of claim14, wherein said block comprises an intumescent material.
 16. Theelectrical outlet assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a pluralityof sloped channel members coupled to said upper bezel and extendingdownwardly therefrom; a securing element slidably disposed in each ofsaid sloped channel members; and a mounting fastener threadedly coupledto each of said securing elements and extending upwardly through saidsloped channel member; wherein said sloped channel members areconfigured so that said securing elements are moved vertically andradially outwardly from said longitudinal bezel axis upon rotation ofsaid mounting fasteners in one direction, and said securing elements aremoved vertically and radially inwardly from said longitudinal bezel axisupon rotation of said mounting fasteners in an opposite direction. 17.The electrical outlet assembly of claim 16, further comprising an outlethousing configured to support a plurality of electrical outlets foraccess at said upper bezel, wherein said outlet housing comprises saidfastener receivers and said sloped channel members.
 18. The electricaloutlet assembly of claim 16, wherein said securing elements eachcomprise a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth configuredfor selective engagement with an inner surface of a bore.
 19. Theelectrical outlet assembly of claim 17, wherein said sloped channelmembers are sloped inwardly in the radial direction from top to bottomso that upward movement of said securing elements along said slopedchannel members causes said securing elements to move radiallyoutwardly.
 20. An electrical outlet assembly for mounting in a floor orwork surface, said assembly comprising: an upper bezel for providingaccess to an electrical outlet at the floor or work surface; a lowerinsert spaced below and coupled to said upper bezel; a plurality ofsloped channel members coupled to said upper bezel and extendingdownwardly therefrom; a securing element slidably disposed in each ofsaid sloped channel members; and a mounting fastener threadedly coupledto each of said securing elements and extending upwardly through saidsloped channel member; wherein said sloped channel members areconfigured so that said securing elements are moved vertically andradially outwardly from said longitudinal bezel axis upon rotation ofsaid mounting fasteners in one direction, and said securing elements aremoved vertically and radially inwardly from said longitudinal bezel axisupon rotation of said mounting fasteners in an opposite direction; andwherein said securing elements each comprise at least one radiallyoutwardly extending tooth configured for selective engagement with aninner surface of a bore.